The Stissingers, Stissing Mountain High School’s a cappella group, performed on Jan. 23 at the Northeast Quarterfinal of the International Championship of High School A Cappella, held at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.
The competition, part of a global tournament organized by Varsity Vocals, brought together high school vocal groups from across the region. While the Stissingers did not advance to the semifinal round after competing against eight other groups, the appearance marked Pine Plains’ third year participating in the international event.
Participating Pine Plains students included Eliza Baden, Kaylee Casinelli, Lydia Chase, Lee Griffin, James Griffin, Maggie Hay, Abby Hardner, Katrina Kitchen, Maisy Minholz, Charly Murphy, Greydis Reyes, Chloe Stevens, Kelcie Wallace, Tommy Weber and Caroline Zengen.
Music teacher Alec Sisco said the path to the ICHSA stage begins early in the school year, with a demanding application process and a tight turnaround.
“Each year we have to submit a 10-minute video set,” Sisco said. “We send it in by Oct. 15, and then about a month later we find out if we’re accepted.”
That timeline, he said, requires quick work as returning seniors graduate and new students join the ensemble.
“Every year there’s a new group of kids,” Sisco said. “So right at the beginning of the school year, instead of focusing on our winter concert, we stress: here are three songs, we’ve got to really buckle down, learn them, and get that submission out.”
For sophomore James Griffin, now in his second year with the group, the performance itself was a chance to step into the spotlight. Griffin sang multiple solos during the set.
“I’m not really thinking about anything,” he said when asked what runs through his mind before he performs. “When you’re in the moment, you kind of zone out.”
Sophomore Peyton Burton said rehearsals were sometimes stressful but rewarding, especially as the group finalized its last song.
“When we were learning our last song, it all sounded really cool and nice,” she said.
Senior Lee Griffin said performing with the Stissingers has been a meaningful creative outlet during a final year at Stissing Mountain High School. Griffin plans to pursue musical theater in college.
“I think it’s very important that we get to express ourselves,” Griffin said. “I really value that.”